The Russellville Democrat., 1887-09-28

few earnest words Of entrenty and WARM
ing which resulted in the outbrealSing Of
the mightiest revival Of religion ever
known IN that State, revival Of religion
that resulted In churches still stand
ing and in the conversion Of a
large number Of men who entered
the Gospel ministry who have brought
their thousands into the kingdom Of God.
Gods plans arc magnificent beyond all
comprehension. He molds us, turns and
directs us, and we know IL not. Thou
sands Of years are to him but as the fight
OF shuttle. The most terrific occurrence
does not make God tremble, and the most
triumphant achievement does not lift him
into rapture. That one great thought Of
God goes on through the centuries, and
nations rise and fall, and cras pass, and
the world itself changes, but God still
keeps the undivided mastery, linking event
to event and century to century. To God
they are all one event, one history, one plan,
one development, one system. Great and
marvellous are thy works, Lord God AL.
mighty.
Furthermore, we learn from this story
the propriety Of laying up for the future
During seven years Of plenty Joseph pre-
pared for the famine, and when II came
he had a crowded storehouse. The life Of
most men in a worldly respect is divided
into years Of plenty and famine. II is
seldom that any man passes through life
without at least ssysn years Of plenty.
During these seven prosperous wears your
business bears rich harvest. You hardly
know where all the money comes from, 1t
comes so fast. Every bargain you make
seems to turn into gold. You contract
| - 1nt,4 81 nj oh al wit \,
large dividends. Yon inves. more and
more capital. You wonder how men can
be content with "a small Business
gathering in only hundred
dollars where you reap your
thousands These are the seven years Of
plenty. Now, Joseph, is the time to pre-
pare for famine, for to almost every man
there do come seven years of famine.
You will be sick; you will be unfortunate;
you will be defrauded you will be disap-
pointed; you will be old. and II you have
no storehouse upon which to fall back you
may be famine-struck.
We have no admiration for this denying
ones self of all present comfort and luxury
for the mere pleasure of boarding up, this
graspng for the mere pleasure of seeing
how large pile you can get; this always
being poor and cramped, because as soon
as dollar comes in it is sent out to see II
it can't find another dollar to carry
home on It's back; but there is
an intelligent aud undetermined fore
cast which we love to see in men who
have families and kindred dependent up
on them for the blessings of education
and home. God sends us to the insects
for lesson, which, while they do not
stint themselves in the present, do not
forget their duty to forestall the future:
ssGo to the ant, thou sluggard; consider
her ways and be wise which, having nc
guide, overseer or ruler, provideth her
meat in the summer and gathereth her
food in the harvest"
Now, there are two ways of laying uI
money; the one by investing it in stock
and depositing it in the banks and loan.
ing it on bond and mortgage. The other
way Of laying up money is giving il
away. He Is the safest who makes both
Of these investments. But the man who
devotes none of his gain to the cause Of
Christ and thinks only of his owr
comfort and luxury, is not safe, | don't care
how his money is invested. He acted as
the rose, If it should say: ~ will hold my
breath and no one shall have a snatch OF
fragrance from me antil next week, and
the aroma" The time comes, but having
been without fragrance for SO long, it has
nothing then to give.
But above all, lay up treasures in
Heaven. They never depreciate in value.
They never are at discount They are
always available. You may feel safe now
with your present yearly income, but
what will such an income be worth
after You are dead? Others
will get it. Perhaps some of them will
quarrel about it before you are buried.
They will be right glad you are dead.
They are only waiting for you to die.
What then will all your accommodations be
worth if you could gather it all into your
bosom and walk up with it to Heavens
gate? 1t would not purchase your adj
mission; or, il allowed TO enter, it could
not buy you a crown or a robe, and the
poorest saint in Heaven would look down
and say: "Where did that pauper come
from?n
Finally, learn from this subject that In
every famine there is a storehouse. Up the
long row Of buildings, piled to the very roof
with corn, come the hungry multitudes,
and Joseph commanded that their sacks
and their wagons be filed The world has
been blasted. Every green thing has
withered under the touch OF sin. From
all continents. and islands and zones comes
up the groan of dying millions. Over
tropical spice-grove, and Siberian ice hut.
and Hindoo jungle the blight has fallen.
The famine Is universal. But, glory be &c
God, there is a great sterehouse. Jesus
Christ our. elder brother, this day bids
us come in from our hunger and
beggary, and obtain infinite sup
plies of grace enough to make US
rich forever. Many of you have for 9
long while been smitten of the famine
The world has not stilled the thobbing OF
your spirit. Your conscience sometimes
rouses you up with such suddenness ane
strength that it requires the most gigantic
determination to qucll the disturbance
Your courage quakes at the thought of the
future. Oh, why will you tarry amid the
hastings of the famine when such glori
Gus store-house is open in Gods mercys
We wretched, hungry, starving poor,
Behold a royal feast,
Where mercy spreads her bounteous store
For every humble guest
See. Jesus stands with open arms,
He calls, He bids you come;
Guilt holds you back and fear alarms,
But see, there yet is room.